Federal prosecutors have charged two men, identified as Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, for allegedly planning an ISIS-inspired terror attack in Michigan during the Halloween weekend. The FBI confirmed that it foiled the plot before it could be carried out.
According to documents filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the accused were preparing for the attack by practising at gun ranges and stockpiling weapons. An image obtained from the court records shows Mohmed Ali, dressed in grey, at a gun shop in Belleville, Michigan, on September 25, 2025.
Foiled attack aimed at LGBTQ clubs
Federal investigators said the plan targeted LGBTQ clubs and bars in Ferndale, a suburb of Detroit. Both suspects were reportedly influenced by ISIS propaganda and communicated with other co-conspirators using encrypted messaging platforms.
Court documents also mention the involvement of a juvenile suspect, who allegedly suggested that the attack take place during Halloween weekend. The FBI found several coded references to the term “pumpkin” in online chats and recorded conversations.
“So ya, I talked to my brothers. We are going to do pumpkin,” the juvenile reportedly said in one of the intercepted messages, according to Fox News.
Weapons and ammunition seized
When the FBI conducted raids at the homes of Ali and Mahmoud, they seized a large cache of weapons — including three AR-15-style rifles, two shotguns, four handguns, and more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition.
Authorities said the men had visited gun ranges several times in the weeks leading up to Halloween to practise shooting. The complaint noted that the accused planned to “commit a Federal crime of terrorism.”
FBI action prevents major tragedy
FBI Director Kash Patel announced on Friday that the agency’s quick intervention prevented what could have been a “major terrorist attack on US soil.” He said the plot was disrupted before the suspects could act, thanks to intelligence gathered through cyber monitoring and field surveillance.
“The FBI remains vigilant against individuals radicalised online who seek to carry out acts of violence in the name of terrorist organisations,” Patel said.
What happens next
The case is being investigated under federal anti-terrorism laws, and the accused face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit terrorism and illegal possession of firearms. The Court of Cassation, which is the Supreme Court of Belgium, is not connected to this case but serves as the equivalent judicial authority in Belgium — highlighting how terrorism-related cases often involve international cooperation.
The suspects are currently in federal custody. More details are expected to emerge as the trial proceeds.
Conclusion
The foiled Michigan plot underscores the growing concern over homegrown radicalisation and the use of encrypted communication channels by extremist sympathisers. The FBI’s intervention, officials said, averted a potential mass-casualty event that could have targeted the local LGBTQ community.